Work & Economic Indicators

Economic self-sufficiency is an important goal to people with disabilities and of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). People who have employment and financial assets experience many benefits: They have more social relationships and experience better health and overall quality of life.

Today, few people with disabilities are employed, and those with employment work fewer hours and earn less than people without disabilities. Many people with disabilities are also under-employed.

It is possible that these differences happen because many people with disabilities have lower educational attainment; they may also experience other barriers including discrimination. Some people with disabilities are not in the labor force because of their participation in government training or benefit programs, or because they are discouraged workers experiencing long-term unemployment.

As a result, many people with disabilities experience greater difficulty meeting basic needs. Because it the cost of living with a disability is often higher, people with disabilities may need more economic resources to meet basic needs.

Innovation is needed to achieve legal promises made to Americans with disabilities to protect them from discrimination and promote their access to equal opportunities.

In this section of the ADA-PARC, we provide indicators that can be useful in determining whether people with disabilities are working and have economic resources. The work/economic section includes measures on:

Table of Contents

Employment

1. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities That Are Employed, Age 18 to 64
2. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities That Are Unemployed, Age 18 to 64
3. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities Not in the Labor Force, Age 18 to 64
4. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities Who Work Full Time, Age 18 to 64
5. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities Who Work Part Time, Age 16 to 64

Economic Status

6. Median Individual Income of People with and without Disabilities with Earnings, Age 16 and Above
7. Median Household Income of People with and without Disabilities with Earnings, Age 21 to 64
8. Percentage of Total Population Receiving SSI
9. SSI Monthly Payment
10. SSI Payment as a Percentage of Monthly Income
11. Percentage of Total Population Receiving SSDI
12. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities Below the Poverty Level, Age 18 to 64

Housing Affordability

13. Percentage of SSI for an Efficency Apartment at Fair Market Rent
14. Percentage of SSI for a One Bed Apartment at Fair Market Rent
15. Hourly Wage a Household Needs to Earn to Afford a 2 Bedroom Apartment at Fair Market Rent

Employment

16. Percentage of People with and without Disabilities Who Work From Home: Age 16 and Above